Chapter 15- Out Past Curfew

Hermione looked over at the clock longingly, willing it to move faster. She was experiencing one of the most boring afternoons of her life. She had been bickering with Ron for the past fortnight about when she should take her maternity leave - it was two weeks until the baby was due, and she saw no reason why she should stop working now, or why she should take any maternity leave whatsoever before the baby was born. In her opinion, work was the best place for her- what better place to spend one's time whilst pregnant than in a hospital? Ron, however, had been insistent, and she had eventually given in - she was trying to avoid having any major arguments with him prior to the birth.

She looked back over at the clock in dismay. From what she could see, time wasn't moving at all. She had to do something - the boredom was driving her to distraction! Surely going into work for a few hours wouldn't hurt, would it? Ron need never know - she could be back long before he came home from work…

She stood up from the table and went to get her cloak. This really was the best thing for her, she reasoned. What good was she doing, hanging around the house, when she could be helping out in the department? They were sure to be swamped, after all. Yes, she decided, picking up her bag, it would do her a world of good to get out for a bit. And Ron need never find out…

Hermione opened the door that evening to find Ron sitting on the sofa, his arms folded across his chest. As soon as he saw her, he stood up, hands on his hips.

"What time do you call this?" he hissed, infuriated. "Where on earth have you been?"

Hermione gulped. "I was round at Ginny's…" she murmured. Surely she wasn't that late, was she? She glanced at her watch. It was only 4:30- Ron must have came home from work early-

"Don't lie to me, young lady! You were no more at Ginny's than flying air! I checked myself!"

Hermione bit her lip, thinking fast. "Well, after that I went into town, to look for some… new curtains!"

"You were working, weren't you?" Ron spat, pointing an accusing finger at her and narrowing his eyes.

"So what if I was?" Hermione said defiantly. "I don't have to explain myself to you - you aren't the boss of me!"

"I explicitly told you not to go to work!" Ron said sternly. "I told you to stay home, get some rest, not to get too stressed out, and you blatantly disobey me! You didn't even leave a note! I was worried sick! Anything could have happened to you and I wouldn't have been able to… why are you laughing?"

Hermione tried to suppress her giggles, creating an array of unusual snorting noises. "It's just…" she spluttered, "you sounded so much like my father did once when I came home late from a party!"

"I did?" Ron said, sounding aghast.

Hermione chuckled. "Right down to the last 'young lady'!"

Ron looked horrified. "Did I actually say 'young lady'?"

Hermione nodded, tears of laughter running down her cheeks.

Ron grimaced. "This fatherhood thing has really gone to my head, hasn't it?" he sighed. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"Don't be!" Hermione laughed. "It was actually pretty amusing!"

"Laugh at me, will you?" Ron said, in a faux-stern tone, trying to hide the smile on his face.

"Sorry, daddy!" Hermione said in a sing-song voice.

"Oh, I'll give you something to be really sorry for, all right!" Ron said, and with that he swept her off of her feet in one smooth movement and tossed her onto the sofa, before ticking her mercilessly, ignoring her squeals of protest.

"Ha!" he cried. "Revenge is sweet!"

Hermione suddenly froze, looking panic-stricken.

"What's wrong?" Ron said hesitantly, letting her go. Hermione didn't reply. "What's wrong?" he persisted, the note of panic in his voice growing.

Hermione sat in silence a few more seconds, before saying, with a smile, "Nothing, really, but it made you stop tickling me!"

"Ohhh, you little-"

"Sorry, sorry! I know I shouldn't have done that, but I couldn't resist!" Hermione laughed.

"Don't freak me out like that!" Ron squeaked, his voice about an octave higher than usual.

"I'm sorry, sweetie!" Hermione cooed, her voice suddenly full of concern. "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"

Ron grinned. "I'm sure I can think of something…"